Connection for burial case handles or the like



Why 4, 1937.

CONNECTION FOR BURIAL CASE HANDLES OR THE LIKE Filed June 7, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet; l

I v I INVENTOR,

Y BY J f- I QM,MAM

ATTORNEYS May 45,1937.

CONNECTION B. MALLORY 2,079,459

FOR BURIAL CASE HANDLES OR THE LIKE Filed June '7 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENT OR.

ATTORNEYS.

May 4, 193 7.

B. L. MALLORY 2,079,459

URIAL CASE HANDLES OR THE LIKE Filed June 7, 1935 CONNECTION FOR B 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 v ATTORNEYJ,

Patented May 4, 1937 UNHTED STATES PAT'NT OFFICE CONNECTION FOR BURIAL CASE HANDLES OR THE LIKE 14 Claims.

This invention is an improved pivotal connection for handles or the like. Its broad purpose is to provide a simple and inexpensive, yet strong and efficient connection by which a handle or like object may be quickly and conveniently attached to a member for swinging movement with respect thereto without the use of separate pivot means or the employment of tools.

A further object is to provide a construction embodying a connection of the above described character in which all parts desirably consist of sheet metal stampings.

The invention was conceived in connection with handles for burial cases and while it is especially adapted for use with devices of this'class and is so illustrated and described herein, I wish it to be understood that the invention is not restricted to this particular field.

The objects above enumerated, with others hereinafter appearing, are attained in the cmbodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a burial vault handle incorporating my improved pivotal connection; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 1 on a scale somewhat larger than the previous view; Fig. 3 is a similar view of the mounting plate or member in the region of one of the receiving openings; Fig. 4 is a section on the line l l of Fig. 1, although drawn to the scale of Fig. 2; Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional details on the respective lines 5-5 and I-36 of Fig. 2; Fig. 7 is a view, similar to Fig. 4, showing the parts in the process of assembly; Fig. 8 is another view of the same character showing the parts in assembled condition and with the handle raised as in the case of lifting an object to which the device is attached; Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the handle hangers; Fig. 10 is a similar view of a flanged element that constitutes a part of the connection in the embodiment of the invention first to be described; Fig. 11 shows said flanged element in sectional rear elevation; Fig. 12 is a section on the line I2-I2 of Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is a front elevation of a lighter construction of casket handle embodying the invention; Fig. 14 is a rear elevation of a part of the handle illustrated in Fig. 13 on a somewhat larger scale; Fig. 15 is a section on the line l5l5 of Fig. 13; Fig. 16 is a view, similar to Fig. 15, showing the handle raised; Figs. 17 and 18 are sections on the lines II-II and I8-I8, respectively, of Fig. 14; and Fig. 19 is a sectional detail of the mounting plate or member.

The form of the invention illustrated in Figs.

1 to 11 is intended especially for use in connection with heavy burial vaults and accordingly is designed for maximum strength. I is a mounting plate or member that is desirably drawn from sheet metal and is adapted to be attached to a burial vault or other object by fastening means or bolts engaged through holes 2. The plate or member I is formed with receiving openings 3, shown as arched at their upper ends and straight at their lower ends. A flange lextends inwardly along the lower edge of each opening 3, and is shaped to provide cam surfaces 5, as best shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The material adjacent the arched end and sides of each opening 3 is preferably depressed inwardly to form a rabbet 6 for the reception of the lip I of an inverted U- shaped flanged element 8 whose lower ends are inclined upwardly and inwardly to effect cam portions designated 9 for engagement with the end portions of the flange 4. The depressed portions about the openings 3 also impart rigidity to the plate or member. When the parts are in assembled condition, the flanged element 8' is held within the opening 3 against displacement inwardly or outwardly thereof by the lip I that engages the outer side of the mounting plate or member, and abutments I0 and I I that are struck outwardly from the flanged element and engage the inner side of said plate or member.

I5 are bosses that are depressed inwardly from opposed parts of each flanged element 8, and they are adapted to be journaled within apertures I6 in opposed parts I! of an entering portion I8 designed for projection, with the flanged element 8, into one of the receiving openings 3 of the plate or member I. The entering portion I8 constitutes the head of a hanger I9, two of which are associated with the mounting plate or member I and carry a handle 21]. To provide such length for the bosses I5 as will insure ample bearing thereof within the apertures I6 and at the same time secure the requisite strength, circumferentially spaced poritons I5 (Figs. 10 and 11) thereof are sheared from the adjacent parts of the element 8 and pressed out a distance equal to or greater than the thickness of the metal of the parts I'l, while intermediate the portions I5 the metal is left intact.

In assembling the parts above described, the

flanged element 8 is first attached to the entering portion I8 of the hanger I9, as by forming it thereabout, although the two parts may be independently formed and then interengaged or snapped together, this being permitted by the pliability or resiliency of the metal of which the parts are made. In either event, the U-shaped flanged element is engaged over the entering portion I8 with the bosses l5 within the apertures I6. Said entering portion with the flanged element applied thereto ,is then projected through the receiving opening 3 of the plate or member I and the abutment I is engaged upwardly to the rear of the top edge of the opening, as illustrated in Fig. 6. When in this position, the cam ends 9 of the flanged element bear upon the ends of the flange 4, and the toes of the opposed parts lIof the entering portion [8 engage the inner side of the plate or member 1 below the opening 3. Now, by swinging the free end of the hanger l9 upwardly with respect to the mounting plate or member I, as in the lifting of the handle 20, the flanged element 8 is forced into the opening 3, during which time it pivots on the abutment III, while the hanger swings about a center defined by the points of contact between the toes of the parts I! and the inner side of the plate. During this process of assembly there is a toggle action involving the entering portion l8 and flanged element 8 wherein the bosses 55, that constitute the knee of the toggle, move inwardly as the hanger is swung upwardly. When C0111- pletely assembled, the parts assume the condition illustrated in Fig. '7, in which the lip 1 of the flanged element 8 is seated within the rabbet 6 that partly surrounds the opening 3, and the abutments l0 and H are engaged with the inner side of the mounting plate or member I. To efiect positive projection of the abutments. H

beyond the edges of the opening 3 and rearwardly of the inner surface of the plate or mem her, the flanged element is spread, through the intervention of the opposed parts II, by the latters cooperation with the cam surfaces of the flange 4.

The modification illustrated in Figs. 13 to 19 is a lighter and somewhat simpler construction than that above described, the principal difference between the two embodiments being the omission from the construction that is now under consideration of a separate part corresponding to the previously described flanged element 8. Incidentally there are two mounting plates or members 25 in the present construction, each being formed with a receiving opening 26 that is arched at its upper end and straight along the bottom, and extending inwardly from the lower edge of the opening is a flange 21 provided with opposed cam surfaces 28. Disposed at substantially right angles to the plane of the opening are attaching ears or parts 29 shown as integral portions of a flange 35 that extends rearwardly from the plate or member 25 about the top and sides of the opening 26. Pressed inwardly from the ears or attaching parts 29 are bosses 3|, these preferably being of the same character as the bosses l5 of the previously described embodiment.

35 is .a handle, shown as formed of sheet metal with integral hangers 36 that are attached to the mounting plates or members 25 through the simplified form of my improved connection. The entering portion or head 31 of each hanger 36 is U-shaped in cross section and of a size to fit easily within the receiving opening 25 of one of the mounting plates or members 25. Its opposed parts 38 have apertures 39 into which the bosses 3| snap when the entering portion is projected into the receiving opening. To facilitate the registering of the bosses with the apertures 39 the former are adapted to be directed to the apertures by guideways 45 that are formed in the opposed parts 38 of the entering portion 31.

When the handle is pivotally connected to the mounting plates or members 25 in the manner described, the handle may be raised with respect to the members or plates to the position shown in Fig. 16. When in this position, shoulders 4! of the hangers engage the mounting plates or members 25 immediately above the openings 26, while the toes of the opposed parts 38 of the entering portions contact the inner sides of the plates or members 25 below said openings. Under these conditions, the load is transmitted to the handle through the sturdy head portions of the hangers, relieving the bosses 3! of any appreciable strain. It will be apparent that the opposed parts 33 of the entering portion of each hanger are properly separated when the handle 'is lifted by their coaction with the cam surfaces 28 of the flange 21. The mounting plates or members 25 may be attached to a casket or other object by fastening means or bolts engaged through holes 53. 7

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a connection for handles or the like, a member provided with a receiving opening, attaching parts on opposite sides thereof at substantially right angles to the plane of said opening, and a second member having an entering portion engaged Within said opening with opposed parts thereof alongside the aforesaid attaching parts, the said parts that are associated with one member having bosses while those associated with the other member have bearing apertures wherein said bosses are journaled thereby to pivotally connect the members to-' gether, the members including portions that coact when said members are swung to a given angular relation to each other to force the parts associated with one member in the direction of those associated with the other.

2. In a connection for handles or the like, a member provided with a receiving opening, attaching parts on opposite sides thereof at substantially right angles to the plane of said opening, and a second member having an entering portion engaged within said opening and opposed parts of which are yieldable with respect to said portion and are arranged alongside the aforesaid attaching parts, the said parts that are associated with one member having bosses while those associated with the other member have bearing apertures wherein the said bosses are journaled thereby to pivotally connect the members together; and cam surfaces fixed with respect to the first member that are engaged by the parts associated with the second member to spread said parts when the second member is swung into a given angular relation to the first member.

3. In a connection for handles or the likeya within said opening and opposed parts of which a are disposed alongside the aforesaid attaching parts, the said parts that are associated with one member having bosses while those associated with the other member have bearing apertures where; 1 in said bosses are journaled thereby to piv- 1 otally connect the members together, and opposed cam surfaces fixed with respect to the first member and wherewith the said parts of the second member cooperate to effect a spreading of said parts when the second member is swung into a given angular relation to the first member.

4. In a connection for handles or the like, a member constructed of sheet metal and provided with a receiving opening, an inwardly projecting flange extending along the base of said opening shaped to constitute cams, attaching parts on opposite sides of the receiving opening at substantially right angles to the plane thereof, and a second sheet metal member having an entering portion that is generally U-shaped in cross section for engagement within said opening so that opposed parts thereof are disposed alongside the aforesaid attaching parts, the said parts that are associated with one member having bosses while those associated with the other have bearing apertures wherein said bosses are journaled thereby to pivotally connect the members together, the aforesaid parts of the entering member engaging the cam surfaces of the aforesaid flange when the second member is swung into a given angular relation to the first member so as to insure a given separation of the last mentioned parts.

5. In a connection for handles or the like, a member provided with a receiving opening, attaching parts on opposite sides thereof at substantially right angles to the plane of said opening, and a second member having an entering portion engaged within said opening so that opposed parts thereof are disposed alongside the aforesaid attaching parts, the said parts that are associated with one member being constructed of sheet metal and having bosses struck therefrom while those associated with the other member have bearing apertures within which said bosses are journaled, circumferentially spaced portions of the bosses being severed and abruptly offset from the adjacent part of the sheet metal to give depth to the bosses while intermediate portions thereof remain intact to impart strength to the bosses.

6. In a connection for handles or the like, a member provided with a receiving opening, a flanged element inserted within said opening and opposed portions of which are at substantially right angles to the plane of said opening and constitute attaching parts, the flanged element having abutments for engagement with the inner and outer sides of the aforesaid member for holding the element against dislodgment inwardly or outwardly of the opening, and a second element having an entering portion for engagement within the flanged element so that opposed parts thereof are disposed alongside the aforesaid attaching parts, the said parts that are associated with one element having bosses while those associated with the other have bearing apertures wherein said bosses are journaled thereby to pivotally connect the second mentioned element to the aforesaid member, and opposed cam surfaces fixed with respect to the member and arranged to be engaged by the parts associated with the second mentioned element when the latter is swung into a given angular relation to the member whereby a definite separation of said parts of the second mentioned element is assured.

7. In a connection for handles or the like, a member provided with a receiving opening, a flanged element inserted within said opening and opposed portions of which are at substantially right angles to the plane of said opening and constitute attaching parts, the flanged element having abutments for engagement with the inner and outer sides of the aforesaid member for holding the element against dislodgement inwardly or outwardly of the opening, and a second element having an entering portion for engagement within the flanged element so that opposed parts thereof are disposed alongside the aforesaid attaching parts, the said parts that are associated with one element having bosses while those associated with the other have bearing apertures wherein said bosses are journaled thereby to pivotally connect the second mentioned element to the aforesaid member, the terminal of the entering portion of the second element bearing against the inner side of the member below the receiving opening when the second mentioned element is swung into a given angular relation to the member with its upper side engaging the top portion of the flanged element.

8. In a connection for handles or the like, a sheet metal member provided with a receiving opening that is arched at one end and substantially straight at the other, a U-shaped flanged element insert-ed through said opening with its terminals engaging the straight end of the opening, the element having a lip engaged with the outer surface of the member and abutments engaged with the inner surface thereof, opposed portions of said element being at substantially right angles to the plane of the opening and constituting attaching parts, a sheet metal element having an entering portion that is U-shaped in cross section engaged within the flanged element with opposed parts thereof alongside the attaching parts of the first mentioned element, the said parts that are associated with one element having bosses while those associated with the other have bearing apertures wherein said bosses are journaled thereby to effect a pivotal connection between the second mentioned element and the member, and opposed cam surfaces fixed with respect to the member and wherewith the parts associated with the second element coact to insure separation of said parts when the second mentioned element is swung into a given angular relation to the member.

9. In a connection for handles or the like, a sheet metal member provided with a receiving opening that is arched at one end and straight at the other, a flange turned inwardly along the straight end of the opening and formed with opposed cam surfaces, a flanged element designed to fit within said opening with its terminals engaging the straight end thereof, said element having a ledge for contact with the outer surface of the member and abutments for engagement with the inner surface thereof to hold the element against dislodgement inwardly or outwardly of the opening, bosses projecting inwardly from opposed portions of said element, and a second member having an entering portion for engagement within the element so that opposed parts thereof are disposed alongside the opposed portions of the element, said parts having apertures within which the aforesaid bosses are journaled, the said parts of the second member engaging the cam surfaces of the aforesaid flange for insuring a proper separation thereof when the second member is swung into a given angular relation to the first member.

10. In a connection for handles or the like, a member provided with a receiving opening, attaching parts on opposite sides thereof that are at substantially right angles to the plane of said opening, and a second member having an entering portion for engagement within said opening so that opposed parts thereof are disposed alongside the aforesaid attaching parts, the said parts that are associated with one member comprising bosses while those associated with the other member have bearing apertures wherein said bosses are journaled, the apertured parts having channel like guides for directing the bosses to the apertures as the entering member is projected into the receiving opening.

11. In a connection for handles or the like, a member provided with a receiving opening, and a second member constructed of yieldable material provided with an entering portion engaged within said opening, the said members having attaching parts that interengage in a direction laterally of the opening thereby to connect the members together, and other cooperating parts that tend to expand the second member lamrally and insure interengagement of the attaching parts.

12. In a connection for handles or the like, a mounting member provided with a receiving opening and opposed cam surfaces adjacent the bottom thereof, and a handle member provided with a sheet metal entering portion that is generally U-shaped in cross section and is engaged within the receiving opening, the said members having attaching parts that interengage in a direction laterally of the opening thereby to connect the members together, opposed parts of the aforesaid entering portion engaging the said. cam surfaces when the handle member is swung to a given angular relation to the mounting member whereby a spreading action is imposed upon" the entering portion and the interengagement of the aforesaid attaching parts is assured,

13. A handle comprising a sheet metal mounting plate having a receiving opening, a hanger having an entering portion, and. a flanged element embracing said portion and having pivotal connection therewith, the element being shaped to accurately fit within said opening and arranged to be inserted therein after being pivotally connected to the hanger and having parts for cooperation with portions of the mounting plate about said opening for locking it in the opening. 14. A handle comprising a sheet metal mount ing plate having a receiving opening, a, hanger having an entering portion, and a flanged element embracing said portion and having pivotal connection therewith, the element being shaped to accurately fit within said opening and arranged to be inserted therein after being pivotally con-,

nected to the hanger and having partsfor cooperation With portions of the mounting plate about said opening for looking it in the opening, the hanger and mounting plate having parts coacting when the hanger is lifted to effect expansion of the flanged element and insure interengagement of the aforesaid parts thereof with the said portions of the mounting plate.

' BONNIE L. MALLORY. 

